On the national day of solidarity with Vestas workers, workers and their supporters were out around the Isle of Wight. There were street stalls and rallies at Newport, Ryde, Sandown and East Cowes. The response from IoW residents and holidaymakers was overwhelmingly supportive of the campaign to keep the factories open and making wind turbine blades.
In the evening we all gathered at East Cowes, for a march and a rally at Venture Quays, where the rooftop protestors are holding out in support. They unfurled their latest banner reading ‘Wind power to the people’ (see separate post). “Seize the Day” performed the campaign anthem ‘Boys on the balcony‘. It was a lovely evening overlooking the water.
Tony reports: “Sandown action today between 12.30pm and 2pm at the Pier. Good response from the public including holiday makers. Many leaflets distributed and Green Ribbons sold.”
Leafleting in Sandown, IoW, Vestas workers solidarity day, Wednesday 12th August 2009
Save Vestas jobs! Save the planet! 
Medway Towns Support For Vestas Workers
Here in Gillingham in Kent, Medway Trades Union Council and Kingsnorth Climate Action Medway held a joint Vestas Solidarity Meeting on Tuesday night, which got good press coverage and raised £37 for the Vestas fighting fund. The following day we leafleted Medway Council Office in Chatham and later in the afternoon the Climate Camp opened their new shop ‘Tipping Point’ with an exhibition about the Vestas dispute. We will be continuing to publicise the Vestas workers struggle over the coming weeks and urging local union branches to make collections and invite Vestas workers to address meetings.
Steve Wilkins
Medway Trades Union Council
By: Steve Wilkins on 13 August 2009
at 6:07 pm